Bomb blast injures several in Spain

10:14AM GMT 28 Feb 2002

A BOMB has exploded in a suburb of Bilbao, in Spain's northern Basque country, injuring several people, including a Socialist party councillor and her bodyguard.

The councillor was identified as Esther Cabezudo, who works in the mayor's office in a suburb of Bilbao. Cabezudo and her bodyguard were taken to hospital. It was not thought that their lives were in danger, but the extent of their injuries was unclear.

The bomb, which was detonated from a distance, occurred at 9.15 am (0815 GMT) as Cabezudo and her bodyguard were driving to the town hall for a meeting.

Several passersby were also injured by the powerful explosion, which damaged buildings and vehicles in the area, a police spokesman said.